Grand Canyon Skywalk

Netlore Archive: Emailed image of the 70-foot glass-bottomed Grand Canyon Skywalk over the south rim of the canyon in the Hualapai Indian Reservation.

Description: Emailed image
Circulating since: Oct 2005
Status: Authentic (artist's rendering)

Email example contributed by Dawn D., Oct. 21, 2005:

Grand Canyon Skywalk Scheduled to open Jan. 1, 2006 Hualapai Indian Reservation * Juts about 70 feet into the canyon, 4000 ft above Colorado River * Will accommodate 120 people comfortably (how comfortable would you be?) * Built with more than a million pounds of steel beams, and includes dampeners that minimize the structure's vibration * Designed to hold 72 million pounds, withstand an 8.0 magnitude earthquake 50 miles away, and withstand winds in excess of 100 mph * The walkway has a glass bottom and sides...four inches thick Click to Enlarge Image credit: Destination Grand Canyon

Analysis: True. The image above is an artist's rendering of a glass-bottomed skywalk being constructed over the south rim of the Grand Canyon in the Hualapai Indian Reservation by the tribal-owned Grand Canyon Resort Corporation. The walkway will jut 70 feet out from the rim, offering paying visitors the opportunity to safely peer 4,000 feet down to the bottom of the Canyon. The skywalk is part of a larger attraction to be called Grand Canyon West, which will also feature an Indian village and "western-themed town."

Update: Skywalk Officially Opens - Amidst great hooplah, the Grand Canyon Skywalk had its official opening on March 20, 2007 with former astronaut Buzz Aldrin onhand to take the first giant leap over the lip of the Grand Canyon. Read more...

Photo Gallery: Skywalk Grand Opening

Sources and further reading:

'First Walk' on Grand Canyon Skybridge at Opening
About.com: Southwestern U.S. for Visitors, 21 March 2007

Grand Canyon West Skywalk - What's It All About?
About.com: Southwestern U.S. for Visitors, 14 January 2007

Questions Surround Grand Canyon Skywalk
Arizona Republic, 14 December 2006

Photo in the News: Grand Canyon to Get Glass Bridge
National Geographic, 26 August 2005

Glass Skywalk to Offer 'Grand' View of Canyon
Arizona Republic, 23 August 2005

Glass-Bottomed Grand Canyon Skywalk Planned
Associated Press, 23 August 2005

Last updated: 03/23/07

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